A Canberra backyard has become the latest site hit by a strain of bird flu.
ACT authorities on Friday confirmed a group of chickens kept at the home had tested positive to the virus, the territory’s second site to be affected.
The home is in a quarantine area set up after an egg facility in Canberra’s north detected the virus last week.
Along with the two sites in the ACT, eight farms in Victoria and two in NSW have been forced to close to stop the bird flu spreading.
ACT Environment Minister Rebecca Vassarotti praised the home’s residents for preventing further spread of the virus to the broader bird population.
“While disappointing to have a second case, it is not unexpected. Like jurisdictions across the country this is unfortunately the reality of such a highly transmittable virus,” she said.
“Avian influenza is very easily transmitted by moving sick birds from property to property, as well as from contaminated boots, equipment and vehicles if proper biosecurity measures aren’t in place.
“Wild birds may also be carriers of the virus.”
More the one million chickens and ducks have been culled due to the outbreaks.
The spread of bird flu had prompted major supermarkets in NSW, Victoria and the ACT to introduce limits of two cartons of eggs per customer.
Fast-food chain McDonald’s had also been forced to shorten its breakfast hours due to egg supply issues.
Source Agencies
